Punjab Police say a 10-month intelligence-led international manhunt ended with the arrest of gangster Gurwinder Singh, alias Afridi, in Ethiopia. Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav said Afridi was one of the key kingpins of the Doni Bal-Prabh Dassuwal gang and had a Rs 5 lakh reward announced for information leading to his arrest. Officials said Afridi faced charges including directing targeted killings, extortion-related firing incidents, and running organised criminal networks in Punjab. He was wanted in more than 30 criminal cases, including five murder cases, attempt to murder, extortion, and Arms Act offences. The DGP said the operation followed Afridi’s escape from the Mumbai airport to the UAE on March 31, 2025, using a fake passport linked to a Gorakhpur resident, issued in Lucknow on February 12, 2025. Punjab Police said Afridi was constantly evading law enforcement across continents. He first hid in the UAE, then attempted to flee to Mexico via Istanbul, before being deported back to the UAE. He later slipped into Kenya in April 2026, moved to Angola in June 2026, and reached Ethiopia in November 2026. Authorities said Punjab Police had a Red Notice issued against Afridi, shared key inputs about his fake identity and movements with central agencies at critical intervals, and coordinated seven INTERPOL references. The persistent multi-agency pursuit led to Afridi’s detention in Ethiopia on November 6, followed by his deportation to India. He was taken into custody by Punjab Police at New Delhi Airport and is being brought to Punjab to face the law. The DGP described the arrest as the successful culmination of Operation SHAHID, a 10-month manhunt spanning multiple countries, including support from Punjab Police’s Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) and the Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell (OFTEC) of Counter Intelligence.